Friday, May 21, 2010

Pretty buttons to make yourself

I really felt stupid after buying some buttons at $6.00 ea. Yes! I paid 6 bucks ea for some really pretty buttons. Then on arriving home and giving them another look, I found that I could have made them easily and a lot cheaper.

I thought I would show you how I made them just in case you see some and think of buying them.

First:

Grab some supplies. Scraps of fabric and scraps of ribbons and trims.
Buy a packet of self cover buttons ($1.60 for three)

Sew two fabric scraps together like above. Then, using the circle template found on the back of button pack, cut out a fabric circle.

Add your trims to the circles. I glued the trims and stitched the ribbons down. Next, do a running stitch around the outside, close to the edge. Pretty much the same as making yo yo's.

Place your button inside the puff and draw in the puff (see button above).
Finally add the washer and press down. I use cotton reel placed over the shank and give a light tap with a small hammer. Voila! Pretty buttons.

The pink button on the left and top button are the purchased buttons that cost $6 ea! The rest cost less than $1.00 to make.

Hint: At the stage where your about to put the washer on, I dampen the button with water. This helps smooth out the fabric for a neater button.

Well, well, well Ms Kylie, aren't we just getting very clever....and such a money saver too.....great, well written tutorial....might have to link to it from my blog if that's ok with you chicky? Hugs Naomi

They are delicious - I want to eat them! Well, I'd pay $6 for them....When you think of the effort you put into making them, and how long they took, and what that equates to per hour, minus costs - suddenly $6 doesn't seem so expensive for a beautiful piece of piece of artisanerie. Sure, if you can make 'em yourself it seems a bit steep, but for those who can't, they're a bargain! Set up shop, I say!x x xCatherine